Silicone rubbers (both liquid and plastic) are used to create molds, and then to redo the most diverse items. They are compatible with virtually any material: epoxy resins, concrete, wax, metal, ceramics, glass, wood and plastic in general.
If desired, in principle, any item can be copied, wanting to make a silicone mold. It is important to use the right working methods and products suitable for work.
At the bottom of the page you will also find additional information about which silicone is the most suitable for you.
Different DIY silicones and their properties
Liquid silicone rubbers
Liquid silicone rubber for molds is a casting silicone that is poured directly onto the model to be copied (before, place the product to be copied in a container, and then pour the silicone on top to prevent the silicone from spilling over the edge).
Silicone in liquid form passes through all corners and creates a faithful copy of the original. It is especially suitable for 3D forms (such as a ring or figurine), but requires more preparation and drying time.
Plastic silicone rubbers
Plastic two-component silicone rubber is a soft and easy-to-mold product. The advantages include:
- particularly easy to use,
- non-toxic,
- easy to apply to the original
Plastic silicone rubber tends to copy less fine details, and therefore it is especially recommended for use in the manufacture of 2D molds. (for example, a medallion).
Which liquid silicone rubber to choose?
There are two varieties of liquid silicone rubber. Liquid silicone rubbers for casting are divided by condensation (5% catalyst) and polyaddition (1:1 ratio).
Liquid Silicone Rubber with Condensation Liquid Mold 20 shore is the most widely used and best value for money silicone rubber for mould making. The silicone is white in colour and the 20 shore strength ensures the mould will last for up to 50 times without deformation. Thanks to the specific formulation, there is no need to worry about the product being dangerous. Once the rubber has solidified, it is completely safe in contact with the skin. Very suitable for working with epoxy, wax, low temperature metals, plaster, soap or cement.
Polyaddition liquid silicone rubber Pure Mold is a transparent or gently milky product. Due to its transparency, it is possible to see the entire project and, if necessary, move the liquid inside the form to avoid places that were not filled with liquid. Another advantage of the product is:
- Very low viscousness (well liquid) for the utmost detail
- Very stable and does not shrink even months after preparation
- 14 shore strength, to make it easier to remove the mould from a highly detailed object to be copied
Very suitable for working with epoxy, wax, low-temperature metals, gypsum, soap or cement. You can also safely make a mold from larger statues.
Which two-component plastic silicone rubber to choose for molding?
ResinPro has developed the IGUM series to ensure all the needs of its customers.
IGUM is a two-component, non-toxic and very easy-to-use ductile silicone rubber. Since the product is plastic, its biggest advantage is the possibility of molding between the handswhich itself is one exciting flat mold. I Gum does not drip and is ideal for reproducing "2D" objects (e.g. coins, medallions or ornaments), you simply take an equal amount of both components, mix together and press on the object to be copied.
For example, if you want to reproduce a pattern or shape on a vertical surface, you can simply apply I gumi to it, and already after 4 minutes you will have a ready-to-use form!
There are two versions: the classic IGUM, which hardens in 30 minutes and provides a longer processing time, and the IGUM "FAST" version, which is ready for molding in just 4 minutes!
Non-toxic silicone rubber in the form of a moldable paste. The product can be manually transferred directly to the reproducible model. "IGUM" silicone rubber paste is soft and durable ideally suitable for accurate copying of ornaments and figurines. With i gumist mold, you can safely use epoxys, gypsum, wax, metals that melt at low temperature, soap and cement.
- Easy to use, no scale or precision tools required;
- Safe and odorless, no gloves and no mask required;
- Workable and manually applied (non-toxic certificate);
- Shape your models quickly: harden in just 30 minutes;
- Durable: allows you to copy more than 50 times with plaster, resin, light-melting metal or wax.
Ultra-fast-drying non-toxic silicone rubber in the form of a moldable paste. The product can be manually transferred directly to the reproducible model. I gum FAST silicone rubber paste is soft and durable ideally suitable for accurate copying of ornaments and figurines. With the gum FAST form, you can safely use epoxys, gypsum, wax, metals that melt at low temperature, soap and cement.
- The fastest on the market : perfect molds, ready in just 4 minutes;
- Easy to use, no scale or precision tools required;
- Safe and odorless, no gloves and no mask required;
- Workable and manually applied (non-toxic certificate);
- Shape your models quickly: harden in just 30 minutes;
- Durable: allows you to copy more than 50 times with plaster, resin, light-melting metal or wax.